A Flash of Light, and then a Sudden Boom

-Gray-

We rode further and further west, no longer seeing the large farming villages that seemed to populate large parts of the Kingdom of Aureaton, moving from green fields that get plenty of sun, to hills that look a tad orange and brown with dying grass and muddy spots, and are littered with the scars of lightning strikes. Large trees were scattered about, most growing strong despite being split and struck by lightning.

Not to say that all the grass was dying, there were areas of vibrant green grass and moss that clearly got lots of water.

The sun seemed a little less bright all of a sudden, with more gray clouds spotted overhead. Distant rainstorms could be seen, along with a very massive one that we appeared to be heading straight to.

“This is the Kingdom of Raedenia, home to the God of Thunder.” The princess called back to me as we rode our horses down the well-trodden dirt road. If she had any positive or negative feelings about this place, I couldn’t tell.

We only ever stopped for brief rests and refills at local towns and villages. I only had seen the farming villages in a land of sunshine and rainbows, which looked fairly standard for farming villages I’ve seen in other media, but now the buildings here had a different design style.

Clearly, every house, village, town, etc, were all built to withstand rainfall. Slanted roofs would pour rain down into gutters, which lead the water into a local river or basin. A river or lake was present in every location, and the town would be built to channel water into it. There was no surface flat enough that water couldn’t move downhill, outside of a few puddles in some of the smaller villages.

The larger towns even had a groove in the middle of dirt or paved roads for water to travel through.

And despite the amount of water that likely comes pouring down when it rains, it felt like towns here were built to avoid the water dripping as much as possible. Of course, it still dripped here and there, but it was a very impressive feat of engineering.

Churches were built the tallest no matter where they were, and had lightning rods on top, though if they powered anything, or collected electricity in any way, I wouldn’t know.

Unlike the people of Aureaton, who wore thin clothes designed for working in the sun, the people here wore thicker leather clothes, treated and designed to let rain just slide right off. Hats were more common than hoods, and large thick boots were a necessity.

We were on guard when we stopped by the first town to get rest and supplies, constantly waiting to be attacked. But no attack came. Not for the next two stops either.

Eventually, we entered a large forest, where the storm rages constantly. It was raining as we traveled down the stone path. The princess’ helmet protected her eyes from the rain, though her hair ended up soaked. Luckily, she was able to light herself up with a quick prayer, and steam would rise from her glowing hair as rain melted off of her body and the clothes underneath her armor.

It reminded me of the lights on a car driving in a storm.

Me? I didn’t even have headwear, so I was soaked. I didn’t mind though, I liked the rain. And I could clean and dry myself in an instant with magic if I wanted.

Still, wet clothes were miserable.

We began to approach a city, one of stone buildings built under large trees. It followed a similar design to the other towns, all about transporting water, and protecting people from it. Though on a much grander scale with fountains and mini aqueducts traveling through the stone city.

And instead of a church, there was a massive tree in the center of the city. Not massive in the same way a redwood is massive. In fact, I think it’s smaller than a redwood.

No, it’s more massive and thick, with countless leaves and branches. The kind of tree you’d expect from a fantasy world. If I was told it was named ‘Yggdrasil,’ I wouldn’t even be surprised. It was large enough you could build a castle within it.

Which is exactly what it appears people did. Windows and doorways and balconies and walkways could be seen up the whole thing. I didn’t see any lightning rods, but I had the feeling the lightning would strike the tree before anything else nearby.

“Raedenia has been a long time ally of Aureaton.” The princess told me as we slowed down to a trot towards the castle. People moved out of the way, staring at the princess in shock. I imagine her glowing figure is very recognizable, even from a description. “The rainfalls here produce the water that fills our rivers, our lakes, our basins, our wells, and waters our crops. We have been friends, in both peace and war, for untold generations now.”

“So… what’s the leader like? Another demigod like you?”

She nodded. “A king, though his reign will be at an end within a few years, replaced by the god of thunder’s latest child.”

“What? Really?” I had trouble wrapping my head around a society where bloodlines meant nothing when your god has a new child with stronger magic. “Have you met the… replacement?”

The princess pursed her lips. “Yes, though I only ever met her once. I’ve mainly dealt with the king.”

“Only once? For someone who is to be a longtime ally?” It didn’t sound right. “Surely there must have been galas or balls or some other meetings, right?”

She was silent for a moment. “Indeed. But I only met her once, at a ball, maybe ten years back, when I was on the cusp of adolescence. We… didn’t make the best impressions.”

“Do you know why you haven’t seen each other since?”

“I believe, though I was ignorant of it at the time, that she is very much chaffing at many of the responsibilities she now holds.” At my raised eyebrow, she continued. “She wasn’t born a royal. She was a peasant, born of a spontaneous union of a peasant woman with the god of thunder. By birthright, she was to take the throne when the king could not produce an heir superior in talent and blessings to her. The blood of Thunder is strong in her veins, compared to the king and his sons, diluted as it has been.”

I sighed softly, seeing where this was going. “So she disagrees with her new life, but isn’t allowed to return to how things are.”

“That sounds apt. But one must push down feelings when duty calls. And with the Pariahs on the rise, it is every country’s duty to make a stand against their evils.” The princess scowled. “I will make her see reason, even if it requires force.”

I didn’t say anything, but I pursed my own lips, biting my tongue to keep it silent.

I didn’t know the way of this world. I had no place to put my own opinions and experiences. I couldn’t judge them by the standards of home.

But I could definitely keep her words in mind, and act when I felt it was right… Judging the people of this world by my world’s standards may be wrong, but I’d rather not fill my second chance at life with regrets.

We reached the stone walls surrounding the tree castle, an iron portcullis stood before us, flanked by guards. Both wore thicker leather armor, clad in long coats, their spears stood proudly in the rain, metal blades gleaming. The shafts of the spears were coiled in thick copper, allowing my imagination to wander about how they fight with electricity.

“Halt! This is Tempest Castle! State your business!” One guard called out, though he was quickly realizing who he was talking to.

The princess rode up, taking off her helmet and resting it on her horse, before flicking out her golden hair as she looked down at the knights. Obviously, everyone had figured out who this lady is just from her glowing. Still, the princess was always a stickler for duty. “I am Aurelia, Crown Princess of Aureaton.” She didn’t even have time to get halfway through her speech before the gates were already opening, but she kept speaking. “My companion here is my knight, Gray. I require an audience with Crown Princess Fulgora.”

By the time she was done speaking, there were already a few guards coming up to take our horses. I had quickly dismounted, rolling my eyes as the princess finished up her introduction.

The process of entering the castle felt quick, clean, and surgical, and it was only the princess holding things up. She didn’t even seem embarrassed by it as we walked into the large doors leading into the tree.

As soon as we were in, we dried ourselves, the princess with a glow of light from her body, and me with a quick flick of a spell. She handed me her helmet to hold as she ran a hand down her armor and clothes to double check they were dry. She even spent a moment fixing her hair and headband.

Somehow, the insides of the castle manage to capture the vibe of being both made out of the inside of a tree, but also being made out of something else. There was a lot of wood making up the walls, naturally, but all the furniture was fancy stone or metals. Many decorations and paintings on the walls could easily make you forget that you’re in a tree.

The foyer was spacious, as you might expect in a castle. Doors lead in each cardinal direction, two staircases led to an upper level that overlooked this floor, and more doors were up there. Metal rod with the occasional copper coils wrapped around it could be seen going through the walls and floors at many points.

We didn’t get to go too deep into the foyer, before a large man appeared over the mezzanine, wearing a crown of stormy gray cloth, adorned with topaz, and constructed with gold.

So, clearly the king.

He wore an off-white toga-like garment, arms up to his shoulders exposed. Sandals that had ties that crossed around his shins. A thick cloak was wrapped around his neck, though it was more like a cape than anything else. I could just barely make out a chunk of fulgurite, lightning blasted sand, sitting proudly over his chest in an ornate necklace.

His face had a bit of pudge, but still had a lion-like strength to it. A nicely trimmed beard of a deep yellow color matched the neatly combed back hair atop his head. Both had strands of gray in them. Eyes like storms looked down at us.

And the most noticeable thing? He was big. His arms thick like logs, a strong broad chest held up his toga. But maybe his glory days were behind him, as there was a bit of fat to his muscles.

He still looked like he could snap me in half, so I wouldn’t underestimate him.

“Princess Aurelia!” He boomed excitedly, raising his arms as he rushed down the stairs to greet her. “It’s been an age since you’ve been here! If I knew of your arrival, I’d have prepared a celebration!” His steps were loud and impactful.

The princess looked less than excited to meet the man. “Greetings, Lord Boranus, but sadly I do not come for pleasure.”

The smile faded from his face as he stopped in front of her. “Business, then? Has something happened to the crops? Last I checked, the recent shipments are to arrive within a few days. It’d be quite disastrous to our nation if something happened.”

She shook her head and clasped her hands together in front of her chest in a silent prayer. “No, the fields remain blessed by the light, thank the Goddess.” Yeah, probably best to hide the fact that quite a few fields had been pillaged by raiders.

I noticed the king snorted softly at that, but the princess didn’t seem to notice or care.

She unclasped her hands, and stared back at the king. “No, Lord Boranus. I’m here for the Lady of Lightning.” The moment the word ‘Lady’ was spoken, the king’s face turned into a scowl. “I need to ta-”

The king scoffed. “What do you need that slob for? She’s still a pup. I’ve still got Lightning in my veins! If you need help with some trouble-makers, just point the way, and I’ll give them the ol’ one-two-zap!” He took a boxing stance, and began shuffling his feet, punching the air. I even noticed a brief sparkle of electricity across his arms.

The princess and I took a step back, letting him pretend for a moment. “I’m afraid it’s not that easy, Lord-”

The king stopped his phantom match, and looked winded, panting slightly. He looked angrier. “Then how about one of my sons. Thor’s quite the fighter, he- Is something funny, Runt?”

All I did was snicker a little at the obvious lightning-themed name, and now this guy, three times my size and half a foot taller was standing over me ominously. His face was dark with barely restrained anger.

The princess was quick to begin to defend me, her arm about to move between us, but Boranus, as temperamental as a storm, slapped her hand away. “Well, Runt? Is something funny about my sons, the princes of this nation, and children of the god of thunder?”

Sometimes, you come across something that you have to deal with yourself. I could tell if I didn’t, the princess would have, and I’d rather not get her in trouble with a long-time ally of her nation. Or get in a fistfight with this guy, especially while I’m holding the princess’ helmet.

So I didn’t back down. This guy may have been much stronger, but I was getting stronger every day too. Eating lots of food, and using healing magic on exhausted muscles was doing wonders. In another month or two, I might not look like a toothpick anymore.

“Sorry, it’s just that you keep ignoring her Highness.” I plastered my placating smile on my face as I met his eyes with mine. “She said… she wants to speak to the ‘Lady of Lightning.’ Her Highness made no mention of ‘trouble-makers.’ So unless you know something we don’t…” My smile became a grin as I watched his eyes widen.

Boranus took a step back at that. “N-now listen here, R-”

“No, you listen, Lord Boranus.” The princess quickly stepped between us, staring down the larger man. “I will not have my knights threatened or coerced, understand? He will be treated with the same respect any member of my court would.” She crossed her arms. “Now, explain yourself, and I may show mercy.”

Light gathered around her, not forming into her halos, but making her seem larger, and showing the near infinite gap of power between the two.

One was the demigod of only faint relation, and the other was considered the incarnation of the strongest of the gods.

I still would have paid to see that fight.

Wait… I don’t have money…

Boranus scoffed, averting his eyes. “She’s still young, Princess Aurelia. Inexperienced. My boys are too. But because they don’t have her natural strength, they are often left behind in any battles, never called for duty. As if they’re expected to just waste away!” He turned around, stomping a few steps away, his teeth grinding loudly. “Am I wrong for wanting to make sure my boys have what they need to make good lives for themselves? Once, they had a kingdom to inherit, duties to perform, but now, that… that… NRNGH!” He let out a guttural groan, punching a metal bar sticking out near a wall.

A loud clang, and the bar was bent with a single punch, electricity sparking off of it and his fists. It almost looked like the electricity was trying to stick to his hand for as long as it could, like cheese on a slice of hot pizza.

The princess was silent, thinking of what to say, but the second she opened her mouth, the doors on the upper level burst open with sparkles of lightning going everywhere, before a figure jumped over the mezzanine, trailing electricity as it moved, before landing on the ground in a perfect superhero landing.

“Shut UP, you old geezer!” A woman’s voice yelled out, energetic and a little raspy. The electricity cleared, revealing a woman around my age.

Electric yellow hair was tied up in a high ponytail like an explosion behind her head, making layers with the black color she had on the inside of her hair. Eyes like storms eyed both Boranus and us with anger and explosive energy.

A body built for fighting was barely hidden behind a toga colored like a stormy cloud. Unlike the king’s, it was torn viciously in several places, namely around the right shoulder, and around the thighs. A worn leather belt that didn’t seem to fit with the outfit kept it tightly secured around her waist. She had metal fingerless gloves on her hands, knuckles topped with copper studs, and copper bracelets. She wore no footwear.

Around her neck was another chunk of fulgurite, tied to a golden necklace that stood out the most compared to the rest of her attire.

But if you didn’t focus on the attire, you’d definitely notice the dark gray furry canine ears on top of her head, and the long fluffy tail bristling behind her.

A dog-girl, or perhaps wolf-girl would be better?

“For LIGHTNING’S sake, old man, can’t you go ONE day without disturbing EVERYONE in this dumb EXCUSE for a castle with your inept SPARKS!” She screamed at Boranus, ignoring us, sharp teeth bared and fists clenched. Her pupils were dilated as she stared down the king.

“Don’t you talk to me that way, young lady. I am your father-” Boranus’s booming voice spoke back, but was cut off by a spark of lightning jumping from the girl’s body, striking the ground near him. Boranus actually jumped in surprise, or fear, at it.

“YOU are NOT my FATHER!” The woman was pissed now, and I could hear deafening lightning coming from outside.

“Now now, dear. Let’s calm ourselves down…” A woman appeared, from the mezzanine, quickly, yet gracefully, making her way down the stairs, holding her dress in her hands as she rushed to be between the two.

This was an older woman, with some wrinkles around her mouth and eyes, but still a graceful beauty. Brown hair was pinned in an elegant bun, and blue eyes looked kindly at the two quarreling demigods.

She wore a fancy dress, one with sharp yellows and dark blues, wearing some copper and topaz jewelry, with a golden tiara on her head.

“We were just having a nice cup of tea when you bolted off. Come on, perhaps we can finish the cup before it gets too cold? It was your favorite, right?” The woman said with a polite, unafraid smile as she approached the wolf-girl.

But she got a bit too close to the two, and a bolt of stray electricity from the girl looked like it was about to strike the woman.

I wasn’t fast enough to intercept lightning, but the only thing I could do was charge up a spear of ice, blocking the lightning in time to redirect it towards the nearest rod in the wall.

Is that what they were for, absorbing stray electricity like rods? But then why would one go stray?

A slagged lightning rod on the ground explains it. Whatever energy this wolf-girl was giving off was astounding.

The princess was quick to step in after the near miss, pushing the two feuding royals back, ignoring the passive electricity striking her with only winces and clenched fists. “Are you two children?! Behave yourselves at once, before you bring this tree alight!”

“Oh, I’m sure you’ll know everything about that, huh, Aurelia?” The wolf-girl snapped, huffed, and turned around, walking a few steps away as she fiddled with the straps of her leather belt.

“Ungrateful whelp! This is the thanks I get for taking you in!” Boranus growled, grabbing his necklace and bringing it up to his lips as he stalked towards the wolf-girl. “You aren’t even worth the beef we buy from your mother’s poor excuse for a farm!” He began whispering a prayer under his breath.

Only to just so happen to trip on the slagged remains of the lightning rod, that just so happened to be moved in his way with a faint orange glow. I tucked my hand behind my back when he pushed himself up and looked to see why he tripped.

The mood was changing now, with the wolf-girl cackling. “Shows you right, geezer!” She appeared beside me, wrapping an arm around my neck as she pulled me along. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got business to discuss! Important business! Not that you’d understand!”

The princess followed her, sharing a look with me as she offered me a shrug and took her helmet back from my hands.

Boranus was steaming mad, already cracking with electricity, but the older woman smacked him on the back of the head, and dragged him away by his ear. He could have easily broken out of the grip, but it was clear he didn’t want to hurt what I could only assume was his queen.

“Why are you dragging me?” I tried to keep up, but this woman walked pretty fast for someone a head shorter than me.

“Well, we’ve got lots to talk about, friend.” She grinned, showing off her very sharp teeth. “And you seem like a fun guy, unlike Miss Golden Spoon over there.” She pointed her thumb at the princess.

While I unexpectedly snorted at that, the princess scoffed. “And what is that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing~” The wolf-girl said in a sing-song tone, glancing at me out of the corner of her eye to see if I played along.

Well, I wasn’t a snitch.